The gourd material can be wood-burned, carved, painted or stained. Carve small pieces into jewelry, such as rings and bracelets. You can also pound the fibers out and turn them into handmade paper sheets.
Can you do anything with decorative gourds?
Using Ornamental Gourds
Just because these gourds are called “ornamental” doesn’t mean you can’t give them practical uses. Many people enjoy using ornamental gourds for hanging baskets, bird feeders, or even bird houses. Another exciting idea is to make decorative gourd lights.
What should I do with my old gourds?
Turn old pumpkins into a rich soil amendment for next season’s vegetable garden. Cut the gourds into small pieces, and either add them to the compost pile or bury them in a trench dug right into the garden bed.
What do you do with decorative gourds after Halloween?
You can also chop up your gourds and leave them, seeds and everything, for all the critters that roam in the night. From deer to birds to squirrels, you’ll get a parade of wildlife in your yard!
How long can you keep decorative gourds?
Store pumpkin and squash in a well-ventilated room at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit with 50-75% humidity. With proper preservation pumpkins and squash will last two to three months.
Can decorative gourds be saved?
If you properly dry your gourds and seal them, they can last for years. Each gourd is truly a work of art, and decorating your home with these amazing gifts from nature can add a rustic touch to any home.
Can animals eat decorative gourds?
This decor you’re ready to send to the landfill is packed with nutrients and flavor that our native critters find irresistible. Deer, raccoons, squirrels, and possums will readily devour the flesh of pumpkins and other pulpy gourds.
What are gourds good for?
Healthier digestion: Gourds are full of fiber that helps to enhance digestion (insoluble fiber) and promote healthy cholesterol levels (soluble fiber). Boost immunity: A healthy immune system is always a good thing, but especially so in winter when it seems like everyone has a bug.
How do you preserve decorative gourds?
Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do. Heat accelerates drying and darkness will preserve the gourd’s color.
What can I do with old gourds and pumpkins?
Create Compost
Pumpkin composting is pretty simple. Just remember to remove the seeds first so your gourds don’t root in the pile. If you’d like, you can save them to try your hand at growing your own pumpkins next year. Just rinse the pulp away from the seeds and allow the seeds to dry.
Can you cook a decorative gourd?
Ornamental gourds (colocynths): These are all toxic and should not be consumed.
How do you dry ornamental gourds?
You can leave your gourds to dry on the vines in the field. Just pick them up and shake them periodically. When you hear the seeds rattling around, the gourds are dry and you should cut them off their vines. Another way to dry your gourds is to cut them from the vines when the leaves and stems begin turning brown.
Can you store gourds over the winter?
Dry the gourds in an area with good air circulation. This is a must. This can be inside or outside; the garage or the hay loft are excellent choices. Spread the gourds in a single layer on newspaper or cardboard and do not let them touch each other.
How long do gourds last once picked?
After the one-week drying process place the gourds in a warm, dark, dry area for three to four weeks. This is the real curing process. After this, decorative gourds keep for three to four months. Adding a coat of wax or paint extends the life of the gourd an additional two months.
What can you make with dried gourds?
Dried gourds can be used to make musical instruments, and various other forms of art mediums. And today our Craft Channel is going to make some fun Fall decorations with dried gourds, including the gourd painting, gourd cutting lanterns, birdhouses and more. Scoll down and create your own fun.
What do you do with birdhouse gourds?
Mature hard-shelled gourds have been used for millennia as food containers, water jugs, floats for fishing nets, and even body armor. Early Native Americans used them as musical instruments in religious ceremonies, as well as birdhouses to attract insect-eating purple martins.
How do you hollow out a gourd?
How Do You Hollow Out A Gourd? The insides will usually be loose and relatively easy to simply dump out through the hole that is made for the bird. Use a wooden spoon, paint stick or any other long-handled tool that fits through the hole to remove the gourd insides to get any stuck on pieces off.
What kind of paint do you use to paint gourds?
I used acrylic craft paints from the craft store. They generally go on smoothly and cover well in one coat (except white). Gloss paint looks really good on the finished gourd, but can cost twice as much as flat paint. Paint the background or base coat first.
How do you display gourds?
But if you’re not sure where to start, these gourd decorating tips will help you out.
How To Decorate With Gourds This Autumn
- Place Them On A Platter.
- Arrange Them On A Mantel.
- Put Them In A Sprawling Centerpiece.
- Place Them With Geometric Accents.
- Put Them In A Basket.
How do you prepare gourds for painting?
Rinse the gourds thoroughly and allow them to sit overnight or until they are completely dry. Apply a water seal if the gourd will be used outside and allow it to dry. Paint the gourd with an oil-based primer in the areas that will be decorated and allow it to dry. This makes a solid surface for your art.
Do squirrels eat decorative gourds?
Certain fall decorations—like pumpkins, corn stalks, and gourds—attract hungry critters. “In the fall, squirrels and chipmunks search for foods that fatten them up for the winter. It’s instinct for them,” says Sabine H.